When the buzz started heating up on the wires during the summer, it seemed like either a complete hoax, someone’s idea of sheer madness, or just one of the most bizarre music stories to emerge in years. As it turns out it was indeed mighty bizarre but it was most definitely not a hoax. Bob Dylan really was releasing an album of Christmas songs.

Dylan’s entry “Christmas in the Heart” (Columbia) is just the latest – albeit the weirdest - entry into a long-standing musical tradition that dates back to the prime-time of Frank Sinatra and Big Crosby. The holiday album is still alive and well and with new holiday-themed releases by the likes of Dylan, Neil Diamond, Sting, Sugarland and Andrea Bocelli, it looks like the tradition is staying strong during Christmas of 2009.

Here’s a sampling of some of the seasonal offerings that have been released (or in some cases re-released) for you and yours this year:

Dylan, by far, gets the prize of a stocking full of treats with this completely-unexpected and very straight spin through classics like “Little Drummer Boy,” “The First Noel” “O Come All Ye Faithful (Adeste Fideles).” His voice is ragged but the spirit is most definitely willing. And to truly appreciate the album you absolutely must go online and find the hilarious party video – in which Dylan plays a starring role – of the polka fave “Must Be Santa.” It is arguably the funniest video by anyone, ever.

All artist royalties from the project are going to “Feeding America,” an organization which provides meals for people in need.

Sting’s favorite season is winter. That’s really not that much of a surprise if you’ve listened to the guy in recent years, and he fits snugly into the groove on the seasonal celebration “If on a Winter’s Night” (Deutsche Grammophon/Universal). It’s not a “get up and sing-along” blast but with its focus on traditional music from the British Isles, it is provocative.

As far as people who actually still sell a ton of albums, country duo Sugarland rank very high on that list and “Gold and Green” expands on an idea the pair had a while back when they released a seasonal E.P. “Gold and Green” (Mercury/Universal) offers a full 10-song collection split between fresh versions of well known songs like “Winter Wonderland” and several new originals penned by Jennifer Nettles and Kristian Bush. Lisa Carver and the great singer/songwriter Ellis Paul also contributed to writing one of this disc’s stronger originals “City of Silver Dreams.”

While on the subject of big stars, there’s always Andrea Bocelli, whose first Christmas album, “My Christmas” (Decca/Universal) finds the acclaimed vocalist paired with plenty of special guests, among them Mary J. Blige, Natalie Cole, Katherine Jenkins, Reba and yes, even the Muppets (on “Jingle Bells”). Look for this one to sell big this year.

Another classy offering arrives courtesy of Hayley Westenra. Her “Winter Magic” (Decca/Universal) puts an emphasis on “beautiful songs” and there are plenty, including “River,” “The Coventry Carol” and “Silent Night.”

Former Doobie Brother and Steely Dan guy Michael McDonald is still one of the kings of blue eyed soul and he brings his distinctive voice to Christmas music once again this year on the Razor & Tie set “This Christmas.” Along with the Donnie Hathaway modern classic title track, it includes titles such as “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” “I’ll Be Home For Christmas” and plenty of others.

Mary McBride’s “Every Day is a Holiday” (Bogan) is powered by her duet with Patrick Wilson on “Do You Hear What I Hear.” She also turns in some smart song selections in Patty Griffin’s “Oh Heavenly Day,” and Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah.”

Razor & Tie also delivers The Irish Tenors, consisting of Finbar Wright, Anthony Kearns and Karl Scully on “The Irish Tenors Christmas” which offers the lads’ own brand of “Going Brogue.” The material is all over the map, and includes gospel (“Go Tell it on The Mountain”) and even a Pogues’ classic, “Fairytale of New York” among the 12 selections.

For something completely odd, there’s always ribald comic Kathy Griffin’s “Suckin’ It For the Holidays” (Music With a Twist) which folks will find either humorous or outrageous, starting with the naughty not nice album cover. Recorded live in Atlantic City earlier this year, it’s about as far from traditional holiday fare as one will find this season, especially with segment titles such as “Maggie the Gay Activist” and “Katie Couric…AGAIN!”

The Dan Band’s “Ho: A Dan Band Xmas” (Razor & Tie) has a big parental warning sign across the front cover and with the ultra-raunchy set list, it’s not at all surprising.

Comic Rodney Carrington goes the big band route on “Make it Christmas,” (Capitol) which is a straight ahead seasonal offering, despite the occasionally colorful song title like “The Presents Under the Tree (Better Be For Me).”

Jazz pianist Carla Bley teams with Steve Swallow and the Partyka Brass Quintet on “Carla’s Christmas Carols” (ECM). Despite the presence of some traditional compositions, it’s not a traditional album, though it is often times a beautiful one. It definitely offers something different for the more adventurous listener.

And if you are one who likes their holiday music far from the beaten path, go straight to Los Straightjackets’ “Yuletide Beat” (Yep Roc). The follow-up to their popular “Tis the Season for Los Straitjackets” album, this guitar-buzzing affair includes “Groovy Old Saint Nick,” “Soul’d Lang Syne,” and a Bakersfield twang version of “Jingle Bells.”

Some Cool Yule Reissues

Several cool Yule reissues are back in circulation this year, including what many consider the best Christmas album of all-time. Phil Spector’s “A Christmas Gift For You” (Legacy/Phil Spector) includes holiday masterpieces from The Ronettes, The Crystals and Darlene Love. This is the one, originally issued in 1963 and containing classics like “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home),” “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus,” “Sleigh Ride,” and others, all featuring Spector’s famous wall-of-sound production techniques, remastered.

Everything related to Michael Jackson is big right now, so don’t be surprised if “Jackson 5 Ultimate Christmas Collection” (UMe) with its very generous 21 tracks does well this season. It’s a very playful album, recorded early in the group’s career, with songs including “Up on the House Top,” and “Frosty the Snowman.”

Ray Charles’ “The Spirit of Christmas (Concord) is back on the shelves for the first time in more than a decade, and features the late soul genius on “What Child is This,” “The Little Drummer Boy,” “That Spirit of Christmas,” “Christmas in My Heart” and six others.

Frank Sinatra recorded a lot of holiday music, but “Christmas With Sinatra & Friends” (Concord) is different in that it presents the crooner as well as several other artists, notably Mel Torme, Tony Bennett and Rosemary Clooney.

The Beach Boys’ “Christmas Harmonies” leads the list of several titles from Capitol/EMI, which also has holiday albums new and old on tap this year from artists including Olivia Newton-John (“Christmas Wish”); Nat “King” Cole (“The Christmas Song”) and the definite cult fave only “Christmas with the Chipmunks.”

Virtual Fireplaces and Yule Logs

Again, for those of you in search of something off the beaten path, there are several new DVDs out featuring Christmas music, accompanied by visuals of crackling fireplaces or other classic holiday scenes.

Capitol/EMI has “Virtual Fireplace” which features music from Lena Horne, Dean Martin, Big Crosby, Ella Fitzgerald and many others.

Columbia/Legacy had a similar ideas and has packaged three separate holiday albums by Mariah Carey, Johnny Cash and Kenny Chesney as DVD “Yule Log” editions.

The Final Wrap

Rounding out the barrage of holiday themed-titles this year are sets from The Brian Setzer Orchestra, whose “Ultimate Christmas Collection,” CD has been packaged with a concert DVD; Metal maniacs should get a jolt out of “We Wish You a Metal Xmas and a Headbanging New Year” (Armoury/Eagle Rock) with appearances by Alice Cooper, Ronnie James Dio, Tony Iommi and a lot of other mellow fellows; “The Ultimate Motown Christmas” (UMe) is huge, featuring 51 vintage tracks by The Temptations, Stevie Wonder, Four Tops, The Supremes and many others; while Putumayo showcases Sam Bush, Deana Carter, Martin Sexton and others on “A Family Christmas.”

There are also reissued soundtracks from the classic “A Christmas Story” (Rhino) and “Curious George: A Very Monkey Christmas” (Denon).

The Mormon Tabernacle Choir presents the live album “Ring Christmas Bells” this year on the choir’s own imprint and The Glenn Mohr Chorale also delivers songs of faith on “A Star Still Shines” (Spencertown).

Last but certainly not least there’s a new two-disc DVD edition of the all-time classic “White Christmas” (Paramount) with bonus material; “Christmas with the King Family,” a DVD from Infinity; a jazz CD from Trio West (“Plays Holiday Songs Vol. 2”) on Yummhouse Records; and the country music husband/wife vocal duo Joey and Rory who’ve delivered The Song Trust collective “Merry Kidsmas,” (Giant Slayer) which is a benefit for the USO